was taking mom along. I had become quiet after my return and didn’t even bother
to fight with him anymore. He came inside and noticed the silence between my
mother and me. There were several evenings these days at home when no one
spoke to anyone.
‘Have you decided to stop talking to your mother, too?’ my father asked as he
sat on the sofa and removed his shoes.
It’s none of your business, would have been my usual response. But I had
fought enough with the world. Another argument wouldn’t have yielded anything.
‘We’ll be fine,’ I said. I wished my mother would bring his dinner soon.
‘Are you not enjoying your job?’ my father said.
‘The job is good. They said I’ve a great future,’ I said. I don’t know why I said
the last line. Somehow, I felt the need to tell my father I was doing well.
‘Why are you upset with your mother?’ he said.
Ok, it was enough. ‘It’s none of your business,’ I said.
‘Are you telling me my own family is not my business?’ he said.
‘Dad, enough. I am too tired to argue.’
My mother brought him dinner and I went back to my room. I took out
Ananya’s pictures. I tossed and turned in bed wondering what to do next. When
you can’t sleep, your mind comes up with weird schemes. I couldn’t do it over the
phone. I had to go in person to do it.
I woke up at four and took a shower.
‘You are going to office now?’ my mother said as she heard me get ready.
‘I have a presentation, I’ll be back late,’ I said.
I took an auto to the airport. I plonked a month’s salary to take my cross-
country joyride.
‘Same day return trip to Chennai please.’ I said at the Indian Airlines counter.
nora
(Nora)
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